The Audi Q8 family currently represents the flagship SUV range from Ingolstadt, which includes conventional, electric and fully electric models. The E-Tron electric SUV joined the lineup last year when it was comprehensively refreshed, and now it’s time for the combustion and hybrid models to get a mid-cycle facelift. We have new photos showing different members of the Q8 portfolio hiding some visual and mechanical revisions.
The gallery below contains photos taken in Germany and Sweden during a pre-production evaluation of the new Q8. We’ve seen this model on the road before and we knew this refresh would bring some striking visual changes. This includes new front and rear bumpers, new radiator grille, modified LED headlights and new side skirts. The highlight of the new design touches is the new grille pattern with larger perforations featuring a slightly different shape than before.
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We don’t have any new interior spy photos to share with you this time around, though we know the cabin will also be undergoing some revisions. This will likely include an upgraded infotainment system, as well as new trim and upholstery. It would be nice if we saw similar interior touches to the 2024 E-Tron SQ8 we recently tested – for an electric SUV, Audi goes matte, brushed, and demure, giving the SQ8 a much less fussy feel than the competition. .
Engine-wise, we don’t expect major changes under the hood. The SQ8 and RS Q8 range-toppers will likely be carried over without significant modifications to their powertrains. The standard Vision SUV, meanwhile, will bet on electrification with a heavy emphasis on plug-in hybrid variants. However, there will be no fully electric trim, as this position has already been taken by the Q8 E-Tron.
The Q8 was originally launched back in 2018 and the facelift may arrive later this year as a 2024 model. It will be interesting to see how long this SUV will be in production as there are already rumors of a next-generation Q8 planned for 2026. As a final note, the combustion-powered version of the Q8 was assembled in Bratislava, Slovakia, while the all-electric E-Tron model was built in Brussels, Belgium.
